The Game

Unsanctioned Mission

"Is everybody ready?" Sydney asks, looking around the room at each of us.

Matt was a little annoyed when Sydney took charge this morning but since he is the newest addition to our group, he didn't put up much of a fight. He is good at following orders when needed. I never thought of him as a team player but this year has proven that he is, and an important one.

Everyone nods even though we all wear similar faces expressing our nerves. Matt shifts beside me and I reach over to rest my hand on his knee. He casts a glance at me and gives a thankful smile. I pull my hand back to safety before anyone can see and place it in my lap, focusing on the task at hand.

"We should go," J.T. comments and nods in our direction.

Matt looks over at me and I hold his gaze. It takes a second but then he nods and stands from his chair.

"A car will pick us up around the corner and then I have a jet waiting for us about 10 miles away. Everything is handled with the flight plan and when we land, we will have a car waiting for us," Matt informs us as we grab our packs and mix in with the seniors going off campus for their jobs or a team mission for The Game.

We all duck our heads and split from each other, hiding from any teachers or students who know we're not supposed to be going off campus today. Thankfully, both of our teams don't have missions today but it looks like a couple of other teams do or they're finishing previous missions.

Once we get off campus, Matt gestures to a luxury car and we all quickly jog to it. The air is filled with tension as we drive in silence to where the jet it parked. It is just big enough for all five of us and the pilot.

"Everybody ready?" Sydney asks for the second time today. She looks around at each of us.

I can tell that Tom is nervous because his leg is bouncing wildly. J.T. is sitting in silence, looking out a window before turning to give Sydney his attention. He nods as an answer and then Sydney turns to the rest of us. Slowly, we all nod, letting her know we are ready.

Before long, we are landing in a remote area, and as promised, Matt has another vehicle waiting for us. The car is empty this time and J.T. takes the wheel. Tom sits up front with him, a computer in his lap, while Sydent sits in the back with me and Matt, prepping us.

"Okay, so here are your earpieces," Sydney says as she hands us our equipment. Matt and I secure them and each gives a test run, confirming everything works. "Tom and I will set up at the local diner, while J.T. will drive you as close as he can get you but unfortunately, you will have to go in on foot for a few miles. The cabins are pretty spread out in the densest part of the forest but Tom was able to narrow it down to a group of three."

Sydney goes over the information again, making sure we are prepared. Matt and I listen quietly, making notes of everything we need to know.

"Guys, we're coming up on the diner," J.T. informs us.

"Okay, Tom and I are getting out here but we will be with you every step of the way," Sydney reassures us. "If you need anything, just ask and we will get you the information you need. If you need to be extracted, J.T. will be there as soon as he can, but in the meantime, we will find somewhere safe for you to be. Not that it will come to that but I just want you both to know that we have your backs."

"Thank you, Syd," I say as I lean forward and pull Sydney into a hug. I can tell she is terrified but she is holding it together so well and I appreciate everything she is saying to make sure we feel confident.

Sydney and Tom hop out of the car at the diner and we watch them take a corner booth where Sydney can keep an eye on their surroundings while Tom focuses on his computer.